FunkyGuru

Thai expert...sounds like an oxymoron....anyway, pretty good guess. Quakes of that magnitude are often followed by many days or weeks of after shocks.

LOL... Thai expert saying how he's the only one in the world who knows about these types of quakes. He should get this story in a Thai paper, they are the only people that might actually believe him.

" Thai experts" yeah right, please don't get me started,,

With due respect, I don't mean to diminish or even belittle any 'expert' ... be it Thai or not. However the subject itself, predicting earthquake, I guess is far too complicated then to make public statements like this. I am sure the gentleman in question has his own 'scientific' reasons to believe in what he believes in.

But yes, indeed the way news was posted here, I could not help but laugh and comment on it. Andaman region is around the great fault line. I am 'guessing'. So the chances of another earthquake there, pretty high. (smart thinking. Einstein). Especially as an after shock to an earthquake that has been rated as 8th biggest in past 100 years?!!! GENIUS.

Just my two satang worth view. I do agree with the above three gents and had a hearty laugh on this Friday the 13th. What a day. For a moment I thought it was April the 1st.

I'd say the bar scene you describe and which I have been a willing participant in, is more of a tragic-comedy, not just a tragedy as you melodramatically state. You have to go to those places with a big dose that what you are getting is illusion, so play in the illusion, pay your bill and go home. I've had some of the funniest times laughing it up with tourists, seasoned ex-pats and goofy Thai dancers at these places. If all you saw was misery and tragedy around you, that feeling was probably emanating from you as well.

And just what exactly were these "barriers you broke" in visiting a Thai Karaoke club? Are you saying you simply made a Thai male friend to help you get in? Is that what you are saying? You made a friend? Well, bully for you. Gee, I'll have to remember that the next time I casually walk into a Thai Karaoke joint which are in plain view everywhere you look.

Finally, I think you did pretty much write an entire essay. Try giving it a title: "Bored No Matter Where I Go" would be a fitting one.

Thanks for your comments. I see your point. In fact it was not right on my part to state only one side of the story or talk about only the boring part. You are very right. Indeed, some of the most amazing and fun memories are from these bars. I have a few of them too. It was, indeed wrong of me to point out only one side of the story. I will be careful next time. I was rather more carried away by the original article/title that Patpong is losing it's charm and stayed on course sharing my experience.

On the note of Thai Karaoke bar, well I don't know how to explain you more. It is not as simple as you have figured out. Neither I can simplify it any more. Understand, please, no matter how long you have lived here, you will remain a farang and won't have an easy access to what I have witnessed. I am NOT European/Caucasian (simply saying white). I am from India and many a times Thai friends mistake me from Southern Thailand for my looks. THAT breaks this invisible barrier that most if not all foreigners can never enter. Believe me my friend, you have no clue of that world. It was not just befriending a Thai male friend. It was becoming a part of their society. Being accepted as one of them. I don't know how to explain you in depth. Maybe when my work is ready, I will be happy to share the book with you. It still needs a lot work. Thank you for taking time in reading and posting my essay. :jap:

OMG, what do we do now?

What will happen to all those tourists who would be disappointed when they will come to visit Thailand to experience the 'world famous' night life? Gees did anyone think about that? Those poor more than middle age pot bellied gents from around the world, would be so disappointed. Add to the worries, Phuket is run over (or is it run down) by Lady Boys. Pattaya is anyway is leading the pack in the category of most confused, freak town of Thailand. With all sorts of stories coming out of Pattaya, oops I don't think anyone wants to be there.

I don't claim to be some saint and holier then thou so all those eager to bash me, drop your trout. I remember my first visit to this legendary Patpong, in 2001. Not at all impressed. In fact it was depressing already in those days. Someone suggested to try other alternative venue. Nana was top of the list. Then there were interesting other names around in those days. One was funnily called 'Clinton Plaza' aptly named after the US president Bill Clinton and his white house scandal.

Ok cutting the long story short, none of those places were exciting at all. Maybe I was hoping/expecting something else. All those culture cops, hold your guns. Understand and remember, these places are legally operational as they fall under legally accepted 'adult entertainment' class. What transpires between two consenting adults is none of our business. Also please do keep your views very clear. I do not support or promote exploitation and or prostitution. So hold your thought before you start bashing.

Back to what I was saying. Between End 2001 and till mid 2002, I covered almost all the 'touristy' centres of Thailand. None, to be honest, was exciting. All of them has this tone of boredom, exploitation and misery painted all over it. There was tragedy to be seen everywhere. There was sadness everywhere. Not really fun! in my view. Yes to say it plainly, the girls dancing on the pole were bored to death. Music was just noise and waitresses were not interested in you at all. When you looked around, it was sight of seeing some farang, local who is there because he is either part owner of the place or the place belongs to his mate. He is probably drinking away because his Thai wife has just annoyed him beyond tolerable limits (or something like that). The other farangs, yes indeed you guessed it. Were those hopeful tourists who wanted to see the 'action' part of Thai culture. They too were disappointed.

Refreshing your memories, the renegade prime minister of Thailand Mr. Thaksin, around this time/period, when he was still popular PM, brought in some rules that curbed the night activities. I think the rules like 02:00 hrs strict shut down etc were implemented then. This was one move that was made under the pretext of cleaning the image of Thailand. It also sort of fuelled the death of farang dependent night spots. Since then I have seen the whole business going only one way. Down, down and down.

The bigger question that baffles me is, as per to sources, this 'industry' or Patpong are just symbolic and have a spotlight as they are associated with farangs. What about the real shady side of this industry that caters to Thai's only. Those Karaoke bars, those VIP clubs, Massage Parlours, Lounges ... and all that is still tip of the iceberg. There is too much to it then what meets the eye. During my stay there, I was lucky to break the barriers and visit these places and more. The story is sad every where. The industry is dying for sure. Or maybe not. Yes it is losing it's luster. There is desperation. There is definitely lack of spending by customers.

What is attributing it? Lack of demand or lack of supply? I say both. Now with more opportunities of employment, so much of media footage spent on educating people on simple life and staying away from glamour and glory, I think it is working. The supply of poor isaan girls is dwindling. They are becoming smarter, wiser and more industrious. Finding employment elsewhere.

...

Sorry this is getting too long. So I till cut it here. The point is, why should a farang be sad when Patpong is losing it's luster?

Whatever I have expressed, is based on my personal experience and view. No offence meant or intended to anyone. I could have written an entire essay, but then again, this is not the place for that. Thank you for reading. :jap:

If you have question, intelligent ones, please do post/PM them to me. Don't bother if they are going to be comments or judgemental remarks on my character. Without knowing who I am and what was I doing exploring the 'industry', I think it would be unfair to pass judgement on me. Thank you.

Free password management program LastPass, a browser extension that manages passwords and automates form filling, has been subjected to an external attack which could see user email addresses, their server salt and salted password hashes stolen by attackers.

What the heck does "salt" mean in this context?

If you understand the concept of Public Key Private key, it will explain. If not, here is my humble attempt.

Data needs to be encrypted, locked, and for locking you need a key. For unlocking too you need a key.

Now think of a lock, which has two keys. One key can Lock only. Cannot Un Lock. The other, the master key, can do both.

Now this entire concept applied to encrypting date, what happens is a random 'string' or 'phrase' is generated. It is nothing but set of characters in not particular order. They can be anything from a-z, A-Z, 0-9 and all other marks like ?!@#$%%^&*() and so on so forth. This string, is used as a key to lock the data.

In some types of data encryption methods, this key is called 'Salt'.

Sorry forgot to emphasis importance of salt.

If one has access to salt data, he/she can easily open the encrypted data files. It is like having the key to the lock.

I hope I could explain. :jap:

What I don't get is, what's the maths behind 24 minuets. I mean it could simpler number like 20 minutes or 25 minutes. Second thing that comes to mind, what if, like at McDonalds, they are late? What is the prize? Bonus?

I saw the video. I was involved with legal profession in past. From all the information that is available, this man is in for deep trouble. He could very well be charged for acts of treason, if Thai authorities wish so. The video itself is strong enough evidence as he clearly speaks in definitive terms of 'looting' and 'setting to fire'.

Steroids???? I thought steroids stimulated your physical body and not brain. It takes some sort of hallucinater or mind altering drug to look so happy, confident and careless in behavior.

Bottom line, stupidity is not an excuse in legal battle. Indeed this mas has brought shame to all the foreigners living in Thailand. Besides that, even in your own country, the intent of arson and looting for political differences is not acceptable how in the world he thought of it to be all right here in Thailand. Or maybe he is just a petty criminal himself. Thought of getting some loot and getting a bit of extra cash??

Whatever, I wish he does get prison sentence. Not in Klong Prem though. For some reasons I have seen Klong Prem facilities, they would be walk in the park for this idiot. Send him to 'Thai' prison.

Whatever ... just get him behind some confinement. He should not be let loose in the public.

Brilliant. Good start. All the best.

:D :D

...

All I see is everyone complaining about how it's all f_ucked up and unfair for their side, but the only person I see trying to do anything about it is Abhisit.

I agree with that last line of yours dtarasin. No matter what people may say or believe in, I see Abhisit, sincerely trying to do something. Unfortunately with not much of a compatible team to support him. More or less like one man army.

In summary, my 2 satang worth opinion:

• Red leaders did prove to be only 'politicians' not leaders in true sense
  
• Thanksin had the audacity to say this on International media 'I am not a leader of red shirt'. I see that is 100% betrayal. Or even more stab in the back.
  
• Who lost? Thailand.
  
• People died, for what? Not for democracy for heaves sake.
  
• I never saw or ever felt the that entire circus was enacted for democracy sake since they began. It was always about Thaksin and his interest.
  
• I really feel sorry for folks from Isaan and other parts who supported this movement, 'believing' in something. I don't what they were thinking.
  

In the end, this has caused a deep wound that will keep surfacing in one or the other form over coming years. May take a few generations to heal it and unite them as one nation. Difficult but possible.

Oh, and the editorial, surprisingly was readable, given the fact that it comes from The Nation. Very clear points. I must appreciate that.

Just my humble view.

Please be mindful that there is nothing to be gained by saying negative stuff towards a dead man. You are better to say nothing at all than something spiteful.

Condolences to his family. Condolences to all those who have died so unnecessarily & for reasons that could of been sorted out by other means.

Sad times for Thailand.

Exactly my words. For we know not him in private life. For whatever he was, he had followers. Now that he is dead, may his soul rest in peace. No need to sling more dirt at a dead man. Respect the death. My condolences to his family. I may not agree to his stunts and stand however, he died for wrong reason. Peace

:coffee: Good morning Thailand.

I wait and see ...

:D

Yeh yea ... same old same old ... and the wise of the forum tear each other apart on a 'Opinion' expressed by someone.

Welcome to Thailand

IMA_FARANG, says it the best. Not only for visa purposes, but as a foreigner, for any thing you need to get done, follow the instructions. It will help

...

Sadly I have been following these blogs for several days and although I have seen several posts that were written with wisdom and good intentions, they have fallen on deaf ears and are followed up by completely ignorant comments and/or total lies.

I hope I am wrong but it now seems we will only have a couple of possible outcomes. 1) the government crumbles to the requests of the mob and sends the message that any group that is well funded can organize and control the government for their own interests. 2) The military moves in and disperses the mobs and restores order to the majority of citizens and holds elections as promised in 9 months.

If #1 is chosen then thailand will see blood on the streets year after year. If #2 is chosen Thailand will see blood on the streets now but will show that this type of lynch mob mentality will not be tolerated as would happen in any developed country.

Either way we will have sad days ahead. Peace

My Doc told me stay away from stress. He is under impression that since I am in land of smiles, the easy going Thailand, I will recover sooner. Hey DOC, you ain't reading the local Thai news.

I above quote, well written, well said. I fully agree. However, once again, as the posting person has mentioned, it will go to deaf years. No one will notice a worth opinion. Interesting to see that TV readers use these forums to spill out their own frustrations of current happening in this country. We may disagree, but let us do it in civil way.

Thank you for a nice comment.

Some of the replies made on this topic just shows how ignorant and or drunk the members of this forum can be!

only on this topic?!

Good one

Oh Boy this is the best of his quotes. Let me note it down. Will go in my collection of Funniest Quotes. I don't even have any reasonable statement to make on this one. Just not possible. I may not be the brightest but I am not that dumb either.

My country not listed. I find this poll a bit offensive. Sorry there is world besides UK and US. There are many who visit this site as it is meant to be any foreigner living in Thailand. Either update the poll to reflect correctly or just remove it. In it's current form, it is insulting. :coffe1:

As you might appreciate it would be impossible to list all countries in the forum, plus for your information theres a maxium number or options available when carrying out polls @ thai visa.

Your country obviously falls into the 'other' cateogry, just get over it.

*Sigh* Doesn't matter. I don't see any functional logic in this poll. England and London?? hmmm and then America ... bigger HMMMM. So in absence of understanding a meaningful purpose, I think I will pass polling for this particular one.

Ok got over it.

Indeed hats off to current government and Army. Most, if not all, previous occasions when the protests did reach flashpoints, the nerves of those on both sides of the line were weak enough to result in blood shed.

The cause, the people, the rally ... all said and done, on a hot midday, when temperatures are high and so are the sentiments amongst the people with constant encouragement, almost instigation from their core leaders, these, otherwise simple country folks could become wild and unpredictable. Razor wires or not. When masses loose the patience, for whatever reason, they can be very unruly. To calm them from the other side of the line, through talking, is a great achievement. Try doing this on a personal level with an individual. Try to talk someone out of the hyper angry mood. Then one will realise the importance this great feat put on by Thai Army. Who ever thought of this, deserves due acknowledgement and praise. Good work.

Of course the rest of issue remains. We can all discuss and disagree upon. However, I suggest we must agree to accept what happened yesterday, the peaceful conclusion of army base, needs to be credited to Thai Army and their Talk Tactic.

My country not listed. I find this poll a bit offensive. Sorry there is world besides UK and US. There are many who visit this site as it is meant to be any foreigner living in Thailand. Either update the poll to reflect correctly or just remove it. In it's current form, it is insulting.

I have a feeling that the red leadership, if I were to use the term, has forgotten to have something called 'Plan B'. Maybe it was just an overlook or it was seriously thought that a million plus would flood BKK and the government will simply give in to their demands.

Carefully observe the statments issued the them. Starting from continuing the agitation/rally to now absurd ideas like a million cc of blood to deface the government property? Funny I find it. Loss of word, no backup plan, no brains to prompt them what to say, heat of mid march, humiliation due to failure of tall claims, calmness of their 'enemy' ... indeed some edgy nerved lunatics in such mass hysteria may pull the trigger.

In my two satangs worth, Reds, never had a chance and now they are convincing those who thought they had a good cause that they don't. I see the red support fading away. Most unfortunate thing would be that in this stand off and mindless moves by some wrecked nerve lunatic with stash of weapons, many innocent will suffer. Finally it will be Thailand as a nation that will suffer not red shirt or yellow or brown or olive or .. whatever colour.

May GOD give them wisdom to see this.

Filtering through personal comments and objections thrown at others on this forum, I remember, reading a post by someone, who clearly mentioned what I have observed for so long.

There are people who genuinely believe Mr T helped those rural poor. Not really. I have asked many people, is that TB 30 medical thingy worth it? In reality, no. It works if you are lucky. After the scheme was implemented, many Doctors and nurses actually quit their jobs at Government hospitals. The situation has reached a point where, patients are denied surgery or treatment. If it is utterly needed, they get a wait list number, somewhere a few months down the line. TB 30 medical insurance, good, does it work, no.

Access to easy loan. All the money was used buying a new motorbike, mobile, TV or karaoke home system. Result, they were poor before. Now, they are poor and in debt. Many had to sell of whatever little was left as land to pay the interest and the loan. Who really benefited from this? Not these poor lot.

The price offered to certain villagers in Petchabun, TB 1,500 to join the rally. Free transport. Asking one of them why they are joining the rally, the answer was very clear. TB 1500. These people had no clue what so ever about Democracy, parliament, rule of law ... Thaksins case. They could not figure out how much a TB 70 Billion. Never heard of such denomination.

I agree, they have the right to protest for what they want. Protest as a Issue of the nation and not of separate society. Choose a wise leader, who will represent the true cause and voice the grievances. Not some one who throws bits of bones and takes loads of meat away.

For once, friends, let us stop running each other down and respect everyone's right to express what they believe in. Let us demonstrate democracy here. Decently.

Pictures at last ... I like to see pictures. Thanks Monty. Now I can see Red.

I am on a pathetically slow connection so did not bother to quote. Still I will mention some.

Agree: There is no Chance for Mr T.

Agree: Abhisit did a good job. Pretty good I must say.

Agree: Egoistic, arrogant maniac, yes that is what Mr T is.

What baffles me is the inability of people to see the obvious signs. I wonder how people make up their opinions. Based on what information(little) is available? based on their own independent analysis? based on media reporting? I mean in lack of any credible information, isn't is just the word of the village chief or community elder taken as absolute truth?

Elsewhere, on forum, someone has very well pointed out, for those supporters of T. Has anyone really seen for real, those claims of hospital in every district and so on. Another comment on people were simply poor and now they are poor and indebted due to that access to easy loans. Did all that loan go to legit purposes or it was simply to buy a motorbike and tv at home? I know for fact that people are paid to join his rally. Well any rally in that case. However his rallies are better paying.

A friend called me and mentioned that people around his neighborhood, were offered TB 1200 to join this rally. For many of them, TB 1200 is a big amount and they willingly took the offer and are on their way to Bangkok. None of them have any clue what so ever about the rally. Why it is being organized and all that. They don't even understand what is democracy nor do they know their right and obligation to vote. They follow their leader, more like tribes headman, and thats about it.

Yes there is no chance to Mr. T

If he, at all, was genuine to his country, honestly believed that he is innocent, then he would have faced the charges, trusted the courts and accepted the verdict. Instead, he runs away. In a mad mans attempt to save his fortune, he even went to a moral low of instigating the poor and generating sympathy. Stealing meals from their plate and asking for sympathy? Disgusting.

Well, keep watching and see what unfolds. I have been told that many a tourists have canceled their bookings and arrivals to this country. My friends in tourism business are worried of the long term impact this instability will have.

Wish and pray for better times for this country.